The environmental impact of paints containing TiQ2

摘要

With the introduction of the Clean Energy legislation, 2012 will prove to be a landmark year for the Australian Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) pigment manufacturers. The energy intensive nature of the TiO2 manufacturing process will see the Australian TiO2 industry captured in the middle of the Government's Top 500 list of, so called, "polluters". The Australian TiO2 manufacturing industry is world class and amongst the most energy efficient and environmentally compliant in the world. TiO2 has some very unique properties and remains the most effective and commercially significant white pigment on the market today, with no direct alternative for the vast majority of applications. This paper presents arguments that Australian made TiO2 is actually beneficial for reducing energy consumption and counteracting global warming. TiO2 can be put to work every day to improve the environment and significantly reduce our TiO2 emissions. Burdening the TiO2 industry in Australia acts to counter these benefits, favouring many less environmentally compliant competitors overseas. Current and future legislation promoting more sustainable living will rely on the TiO2 industry.